title: The validity of different zokor species and the genus Eospalax inferred from mitochondrial gene sequences.
abstract: To help resolve the systematic position of Myospalacine (zokors) and to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among zokor species, complete mitochondrial 12S rRNA and cytochrome b gene sequences were determined for seven zokor species from China. Phylogenetic relationships among all extant zokors, except the Siberian zokor (Myospalax myospalax) and Smith's zokor (Eospalax smithi), were reconstructed with the Chinese bamboo rat (Rhizomys sinensis) as an outgroup. Our results support the generic status of Eospalax and also support the validity of the specific status of Eospalax cansus, Eospalax baileyi and Eospalax rufescens.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Rare Animals and Plants, China West Normal University, Nanchong, China Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Caiquan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Kaiya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhou